By Yitzhak Haberman The war over Jerusalem ended in a 1:1 tie but the closing game of the Hebrew year will be remembered mostly due to the international referee, Alon Yefet, who left his mark on the game and its' events. Maccabi Haifa was deprived in the game, but it can feel good to end another difficult game without a loss, especially when at the end the referee received a harsh wrong decision and if not for the linesman interference it could have lost for no fault of its' own. The seventh minute was kind to Haifa and all looked bright. Yaniv Katan lifted a corner ball, Fernandez headed it back and stopper, Dekel Keinan, came from behind and strongly headed the ball in. His joy lasted only three minutes because on the tenth minute in a confrontation with Barak Yitzhaki, both players were sent off. Jerusalem's player elbowed Keinan and the latter patted him slightly, the linesman signaled and the red card celebrated. From that moment on the referee lost control, was quick to draw cards and the teams tried to play soccer. On the verge of the first half, Yefet called another wrong decision. Haifa's Kolama and Bruchian struggled with their hands, Jerusalem's player succeeded in his act; he fell theatrically and got what he was looking for-a penalty kick and a tie that Jerusalem's players did no deserve
The second half kept a good pace, but there was another sent off (Jerusalem's Bouateng), fifteen minutes to the end and Haifa had no special ability to attack and decide the game in its' favor. The score is not bad considering the conditions on the field. Next Saturday Haifa will host Maccabi Petach-Tikva, both teams are unbeaten yet. Haifa's lineup: Davidovitch, Harazi, Keinan, Krupnick, Messilele, Kolama, Kiyal (Fantini), Boccoli, Rafaelov (Meshumar), Katan, Arbaitman, Golassa.
